Why Formation Flying is an Art and Science - Experienced From A Yak-52

I went flying in the back seat of a Yak-52 to find out all about flying in formation with a group of pilots calling themselves Dragon flight. This was specifically a practice session for a memorial flight for a recently deceased pilot featuring a missing man formation. This wasn't a military performance, just a bunch of experienced pilots with the required training doing flying close patterns in the sky, like they used to with their friend.

There's a lot of specialized techniques and terminology involved, a lot of understanding and management of your position, orientation, velocity and of course energy.
I flew with Hoagy, I brought the cameras, he flew the plane, narrated the process, and I filled in the gaps.

Music:
The Whole Other - 'Between The Drops'
Unicorn Heads - 'Vital Whales'
TrackTribe - 'Coastline'
Quincas Moreira - 'Airborne'
Jeremy Blake - 'Sunspots'
TrackTribe - 'Monument'

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[LetoATX]

Nothing better than interesting people talking about interesting things. Thank you Scott and everyone involved.

[BlueEyedColonizer]

Respect! Missing man formation gets me in the feels

[iEcilpse]

I never knew of the missing man formation until now. The fact that the plane that flys off while the other three continue the four-finger formation belonging to the pilot who passed is just the more touching to me.

[jessemcenulty]

I've searched for video many times but I've never had any luck. The missing man formation over the SLF during the Columbia memorial was awe-inspiring. It was in the morning, not the typical time for FL thunderstorms. Things started out sunny, but then VERY dark clouds rolled in as Bob Crippen was speaking. They were black enough to where I started worrying about tornadoes. But then it rapidly dispersed into a low grey cloud cover. I assumed the rumored flyby was off, but then all of us KSC employees in our black suits and dresses were asked to stand and look south down the runway. Four T-38s came in disturbingly low, flying north over the runway where we were all assembled. When the #3 pulled up he immediately disappeared from view into the clouds leaving the others flying on. I will never forget it.

[AlexSchendel]

12:10 "It's like an orbit in Kerbal"
I love that he knows where this video is going haha.

[champs]

Wow. One of your best videos ever Scott.

[ShadowZone]

Beautiful footage and really interesting to listen the explanation what they're doing and how and why. I learned a couple of new things here. Thanks a lot, Scott!

[AlanTheBeast]

Love the mechanical landing gear indicator on the Yak-52.
I've done formation flying in various aircraft including departure and landing - but not aerobatics.
Epically - in 172, right door removed, my SO taking photos of my father in his ancient Aeronca Sedan (1948) - a photo of which my mother eventually made into a painting that hangs on my wall now ....
Sold my Hassy 500 (etc.) a few years ago - Covid prices were high ...

[paulsidhuUK]

Forget the algorithm this was such a fun video. Thank you

[Hogarthd]

Amazing video, Scott. The editing is fantastic! It was awesome to fly with you, as always, let's do it again!

[gavinsullivan]

Scott I know you were peeved that not many people watched this but I for one thought it was most excellent and thanks for doing it 👌

[oasntet]

This is awesome to watch and anxiety-inducing to think about the mechanics for... Crazy complicated and dangerous (compared to other flying).

I appreciate your pilot referring to orbital mechanics in KSP...

The Missing Man formation was a lot more touching than I expected. These guys must have hundreds of hours together doing high-skill and highly-technical work together, I can see how sending off one of their own deserves a special show.

[shazam]

Thank you! I'm retired EE with ~450 hrs, and never knew all this wonderful information, much less live as it happens.

[flyzfw]

This is easily a top ten video of yours!! Thanks Scott!

[jamesrussell]

Very good stuff, Scott. Looks like you're learning the intricacies of formation flying from some of the best. A nice touch of the missing man formation is that on the break the missing man aircraft zooms up, symbolizing ascension to Heaven. The finger-four formation was a genius invention of the Luftwaffe in the 1937 Spanish Civil War ---- the genius is that it is easily morphed into the diamond and echelon-right, requiring only one aircraft to change position; number 4 or number 2, respectively. Show us some more, Scott it's really good stuff!

[psmirage]

That was an incredible video. Wonderful tribute. Literally brought tears to my eyes. Thank you.

[EmonoobUldum]

Thank you for this amazingly informative video!
My son has been trying to explain the formation flying he's doing in the air force
and I just wasn't getting how difficult it is.

[peterkallend]

Those are gorgeous aircraft. I'm stunned by how beautiful they look. They handle beautifully too. Those pilots really know their machines. Great video.

[robertarmstrong]

The pneumatic starter system on the Yak52 was actually a 'more sensible' choice for the original aircraft. The Yak52 was a Soviet era trainer and had to be able to operate in all climate conditions in the USSR including the (very) cold bits. Batteries don't like the cold but compressed air is fine with it. Most soviet army trucks from that era had air start as well. Apparently the Yak air system is compatible with (and can be connected to) the truck system, so the air could be recharged by a truck if necessary.

[hunterreeves]

I wasn’t exactly ready for the emotional tribute at the end lol, that was nice. Very interesting video and very well made